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Subaru WRX STI blitzes the Nürburgring

Four-time World Rally champion Tommi Mackinen piloted the STI sedan through the Green Hell in 7:55. Photo by Subaru

In 18 years of testing the famed Nürburgring, no Subaru has done better. None has gone faster. And none has exuded more confidence under extreme conditions.

That’s how Subaru is billing its April 16 blitzing of the arduous Green Hell in a fleet 7 minutes, 55 seconds in a 2011 WRX STI sedan. New video of this test is an enthusiast’s dream, offering the view from the cockpit as this lithe Subie strains and streaks through the forests of Germany. In the right-hand-drive car, the acceleration, gear shifting and odometer are all present. It’s punctuated by imposing engine sounds and break and tire squealing.

The point of this is to demonstrate the intense chassis upgrades of the 2011 STI, which helped the car best the previous Subaru ’Ring record by four seconds. The vehicle height was lowered 5 millimeters for maximum lateral g. Power was drawn from the turbocharged boxer four-cylinder that works in tandem with a six-speed manual transmission.

To achieve this blistering time, the test vehicle was augmented with a larger turbocharger, six-piston brakes, flexible tower bar and front lip spoiler. It also received a roll cage, a five-point safety harnesses and aluminum fenders.

Four-time World Rally champion Tommi Mackinen took the wheel for this endeavor of speed.

“The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling, even on tricky corners,” he said. “I could easily predict the car’s behavior.”

The new STI sedan goes on sale this summer, and improvements will be carried over to the five-door.